American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant

Is your business workforce challenged?

Funding is now available for advanced manufacturing training.

Due to the high productivity and technological advances in today’s advanced manufacturing workplaces, access to talented labor with advanced skills is a critical need among employers. As more companies become workforce challenged, innovative workforce development strategies are being initiated to help provide training to fill the talent-gap chasm. The most popular of these, whether provided internally or from outside resources, are work-based learning programs such as apprenticeship, internship, co-ops and on-the-job training.

In response to critical workforce needs expressed by Georgia employers, the Georgia Department of Economic Development – Workforce Division, through its Georgia WorkSmart work-based learning initiative, received an American Apprenticeship Initiative Grant Award.  On-the-Job training funded through WIOA at the Georgia Department of Labor may complement the training.

Apprenticeship training has been proven to be a key investment in a company’s future. By training apprentices, an employee pool can be created to meet future workforce needs, contribute to the bottom line, and increase competitiveness in today’s economy.

For every $1 spent on Registered Apprenticeship, employers earn an average of $1.47 back in increased productivity.

Benefits for employers include:

• Development of a highly skilled workforce
• Flexible training options tailored to meet employer needs
• Recruitment of new hires or selection of candidates from current employees
• Proven higher performance outcomes in employment and retention
• Improved productivity, profitability, and bottom line*
• Reduction of worker turnover
• Greater employee loyalty

Sarah Harrison, Regional Apprenticeship Coordinator for Region 1, serves as a liaison between employers, technical colleges and participants involved in a Registered Apprenticeship program. According to Harrison, “A monumental event occurred on November 15^th, when the eight participating Georgia technical colleges signed agreements to become Registered Apprenticeship sponsors, taking a huge administrative burden off employers.”

Interested businesses are encouraged to contact Harrison at 706.459.4485 or sharrison@georgia.org for more information.

January Meetings

Workforce Development Board – January 18, 2017 at noon at Gordon County Ag. Services

Proposal Review Committee – January 18, 2017 at 11:00 am at Gordon County Ag. Services

CCEO – January 19, 2017 at 10:30 am at Gordon County Ag. Services

High Demand Career Initiative – January 24, 2017 at 10:30 am at Gordon County College and Career Academy, 305 Beamer Road, SW, Calhoun, GA.